Receiver light for inspecting chamber and breech area of a firearm

ABSTRACT

A firearm receiver apparatus comprises a receiver body and a light emitting device. The receiver body includes a bolt carrier bore and a cartridge ejection port. The bolt carrier bore extends between first and second end portions of the receiver body. The cartridge ejection port extends through a sidewall of the receiver body and intersects the bolt carrier bore. The light emitting device is attached to the sidewall in a manner for causing at least a portion of a beam of light emitted therefrom to be directed through the cartridge ejection port into the bolt carrier bore.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims priority from co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application having Ser. No. 61/586,722, filed 13-Jan. 2012, entitled “RECEIVER LIGHT FOR INSPECTING CHAMBER AND BREECH AREA OF A FIREARM”, having a common applicant herewith and being incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The disclosures made herein relate generally to firearms having built-in tools and devices useful in their inspection, servicing and/or maintenance and, more particularly, to firearms having a built-in illumination device for aiding visibility during their inspection, servicing and/or maintenance in dark or low light conditions.

BACKGROUND

Firearms such as, for example, rifles that are commonly used in military and law enforcement situations are sometimes deployed in environments in dark or low light conditions. The AR-15 family of firearms illustrates an example of assault rifles that are frequently deployed in such dark or low light conditions (e.g., night-time, inside an unlit building structure, etc). AR-15, M16 and M4 type firearms are all part of the AR-15 family of firearms and are collectively and generically referred to in the industry as “M16-type weapons”. M16-type weapons are specific examples of firearms (i.e., rifles) that are commonly used in military and law enforcement situations in dark and/or low light conditions.

M16-type weapons and other similarly configured firearms are auto loading and are usually either semi-automatic, full-automatic, burst-fire, selective-fire, or a combination thereof. As such, M16-type weapons are subjected to relatively high volumes and/or rate of firing than many sporting type firearms. This relatively high volume of discharge (i.e., fire) and/or rate of discharge cause these types of firearms to be subjected to higher levels of heat, fouling and component failures. Generally, most gas-operated modern assault weapons such as M16-type weapons use combustions gases from cartridge discharge to cycle a bolt carrier group of the firearm within its receiver body. Exposure of the components mounted within the receiver body is known to cause such heat, fouling and component failures particularly when subjected to relatively high volume of discharge and/or rate of discharge.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a firearm having an integrated illumination device for aiding visibility during their inspection, servicing and/or maintenance in dark or low light conditions. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention are directed to an illumination device (e.g., a light emitting diode (LED)) that is mounted on a receiver of a firearm in a manner whereby the illumination device is in a ready condition (i.e., able to be readily/selectively activated) and is directed to shine a beam of light therefrom directly into an interior space of a receiver of the firearm (i.e., its breech area) and/or an interior space of a chamber of the firearm (e.g., such as through a cartridge ejection port of the receiver). In this regard, embodiments of the present invention provide an illumination device that can be immediately deployed when necessary without having to expend precious time searching for a traditional flashlight to view inside the weapon (e.g., within the interior space of the receiver and/or the interior space of the chamber). Furthermore, in preferred embodiments, the illumination device emits a beam of light that does not have a negative impact on natural vision device and/or artificial night vision device that may be in use by an operator of the firearm.

A firearm having an illumination device configured in accordance with the present invention has many advantageous and beneficial aspects. One example of such advantageous and beneficial aspects is that, in the case of a malfunction of the firearm, the illumination device allows the firearm to be diagnosed quickly in all lighting conditions without broadcasting or transmitting a position of the firearm to hostile entities. Another example of such advantageous and beneficial aspects is that, in dark or low light conditions, the illumination device allows the firearm to be inspected to determine if the firearm is loaded (e.g., is a round in the chamber) without broadcasting or transmitting a position of the firearm to hostile entities. Inspecting the firearm in dark or low light conditions is important in helping to avoid unintended injuries caused by accidental discharge of the firearm when it is believed to be unloaded and in helping to ensure that the firearm is loaded and ready to be fired when being placed in use in dark or low light conditions.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a firearm receiver apparatus comprises a receiver body, a light emitting device mounting structure, and a light emitting device. The receiver body has an interior space accessible through an opening within a sidewall of the receiver body. The light emitting device mounting structure extends from the sidewall. The light emitting device is mounted on the light emitting device mounting structure. The light emitting device is mounted in an orientation for causing at least a portion of a beam of light emitted therefrom to be directed through the opening into the interior space.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a firearm receiver apparatus comprises a receiver body and a light emitting device. The receiver body includes a bolt carrier bore and a cartridge ejection port. The bolt carrier bore extends between first and second end portions of the receiver body. The cartridge ejection port extends through a sidewall of the receiver body and intersects the bolt carrier bore. The light emitting device is attached to the sidewall in a manner for causing at least a portion of a beam of light emitted therefrom to be directed through the cartridge ejection port into the bolt carrier bore.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a firearm comprises a barrel, a receiver body and a light emitting device. The barrel has a chamber at a first end portion thereof for receiving a cartridge of a round of ammunition therein. The receiver body is attached at a first end portion thereof to the first end portion of the barrel. A bolt carrier bore of the receiver body extends through the first end portion of the receiver body such that the chamber is accessibly through the bolt carrier bore. A cartridge ejection port extends through the receiver body and intersects the bolt carrier bore. The light emitting device is attached to the receiver body in an orientation for causing at least a portion of a beam of light emitted therefrom to be directed through the cartridge ejection port into a space jointly defined by the chamber and the bolt carrier bore.

It is, therefore, a principal objective of the present invention to provide a firearm having a low intensity illumination system that will permit an operator of the firearm to view inside receiver and chamber spaces of the firearm without broadcasting his position to enemy combatants when used in dark or low light conditions. These and other objects, embodiments, advantages and/or distinctions of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification, associated drawings and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a firearm configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is partially fragmentary side view of the firearm shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is close-up partially fragmentary side view of the firearm shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is close-up partially fragmentary side view of upper and lower receiver bodies of the firearm shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view showing a mounted arrangement of a light emitting device of the firearm shown IN FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a light emitting device configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the light emitting device shown in FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1-4 show a firearm 100 configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The firearm includes a barrel 102, an upper receiver body 104 and a lower receiver body 106. The upper receiver body 104 is mounted on the lower receiver body 106. It is well known that a receiver body such as the upper receiver body 104 commonly has a bolt carried group mounted thereon and that a receiver body such as the lower receiver body 106 commonly has a trigger group mounted thereon.

As shown in FIGS. 1-4, the upper receiver body 104 and the lower receiver 106 are two discrete bodies. It is disclosed herein and a skilled person will appreciate that a firearm configured in accordance with the present invention can have a single receiver body with both the bolt carried group and the trigger group mounted thereon. In this regard, embodiments of the present invention are not unnecessarily limited to a particular firearm receiver configuration.

A first end portion 108 of the barrel 102 is attached to a first end portion 110 of the upper receiver body 104. A chamber 112 is provided at the first end portion 108 of the barrel 102 for receiving a cartridge of a round of ammunition therein. A bolt carrier bore 114 of the receiver body extends through an end face at the first end portion 110 of the upper receiver body 104 such that the chamber 112 is accessibly through the bolt carrier bore 114 (i.e., a breech area thereof). A cartridge ejection port 116 extends through a sidewall 117 of the upper receiver body 104 and intersects the bolt carrier bore 114. In this regard, the upper receiver body 104 has an interior space that is jointly defined by the chamber 112 and the bolt carrier bore 114, which is accessible through an opening within the sidewall 117 of the upper receiver body 104. An ejection port door 118 is pivotably mounted on the upper receiver body 104 in a spring biased manner for covering the cartridge ejection port 116 when cartridges are not being forcibly ejected from within the upper receiver body 104.

As best shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a light emitting device mounting structure 120 extends from the sidewall 117 of the upper receiver body 104 adjacent to the cartridge ejection port 116. A light emitting device 122 is mounted within a passage 124 that extends through the light emitting device mounting structure 120. An primary objective of the orientation and/or configuration of the light emitting portion 126 of the light emitting device 122 is to direct light into the interior space of the upper receiver 104 (e.g., the chamber 112 as well as internal receiver surfaces and/or other critical areas inside the receiver) such as for allowing visual inspection in dark or low light conditions to determine if a round of ammunition is within the chamber 112 and/or for allowing a cause of malfunction.

In some embodiments of the present invention (e.g., as shown), a case deflector bump of an upper receiver can serve as a light emitting device mounting structure (e.g., the light emitting device mounting structure 120). In other embodiment of the present invention, a discrete structure that is secured to receiver body through some internal or external fastening means can serve as a light emitting device mounting structure (e.g., a discrete mounting structure secured with one of more threaded fasteners).

A light emitting portion 126 of the light emitting device 122 is exposed at an opening 127 in the light emitting device mounting structure 120 that is defined by passage 124 at its first end portion 128. An activation control portion 130 of the light emitting device 122 is exposed at an opening 129 in the light emitting device mounting structure 120 that is defined by passage 124 at its second end portion 132. A centerline axis Al of the passage 124 extends through the cartridge ejection port 116 and is skewed with respect to a centerline axis A2 of the bolt carrier bore 114. The light emitting portion 126 of the light emitting device 122 is configured and/or oriented for causing at least a portion of a beam of light emitted from the light emitting portion 126 of the light emitting device 122 to be directed through the cartridge ejection port 116 into the space jointly defined by the chamber 112 and the bolt carrier bore 114. To this end, the beam of light emitted from the light emitting device 122 is preferably projected along the centerline axis A1 of the passage 120.

In view of the disclosures made herein, a skilled person will appreciate that embodiments of the present invention provide a low intensity illumination system for a firearm. In dark or low light conditions, the illumination system permits an operator of the firearm to visually inspect its chamber and breech area for determining if the firearm is in a loaded or unloaded condition (i.e., if a round of ammunition is in the chamber). Additionally, embodiments of the present invention can permit the operator to identify the cause of malfunction of the firearm in dark or low light conditions so that remedial action may be taken to restore the firearm to functioning condition without the elevated risk of disclosing the operator's position.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, the light emitting device 122 can include a light emitting diode (LED) 150, an electrical energy source 152 (e.g., one or more batteries), and a switch 154 for enabling electrical energy to be selective provided from the electrical energy source 152 to the LED 150. The light emitting portion 126 of the light emitting device 122 includes the LED 150 and the activation control portion 130 of the light emitting device 122 includes the switch 154. A skilled person will appreciate that the switch can be configured in a number of ways (e.g., as a momentary switch, an on-off switch, etc). Preferably, the LED 150 (or other type of illuminating device) emits a beam of light and/or type of light that does not have a negative impact on a natural vision device and/or artificial night vision device that may be in use by an operator of the firearm 100. For example, light emitted from the LED 150 can be of a wavelength and/or color that do not have a negative impact on common natural vision devices and/or artificial night vision devices.

Although the invention has been described with reference to several exemplary embodiments, it is understood that the words that have been used are words of description and illustration, rather than words of limitation. Changes may be made within the purview of the appended claims, as presently stated and as amended, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention in all its aspects. Although the invention has been described with reference to particular means, materials and embodiments, the invention is not intended to be limited to the particulars disclosed; rather, the invention extends to all functionally equivalent technologies, structures, methods and uses such as are within the scope of the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A firearm receiver apparatus, comprising: a receiver body having an interior space accessible through an opening within a sidewall of the receiver body; a light emitting device mounting structure extending from the sidewall; and a light emitting device mounted on the light emitting device mounting structure, wherein the light emitting device is mounted in an orientation for causing at least a portion of a beam of light emitted therefrom to be directed through the opening into the interior space.
 2. The firearm receiver apparatus of claim 1 wherein: the interior space includes a bolt carrier bore extending between first and second end portions of the receiver body; and the opening is a cartridge ejection port.
 3. The firearm receiver apparatus of claim 1 wherein the light emitting device includes a light emitting diode (LED), an electrical energy source, and a switch for enabling electrical energy to be selective provided from the electrical energy source to the LED.
 4. The firearm receiver apparatus of claim 3 wherein: the light emitting device is mounted within a passage extending through the light emitting device mounting structure; the LED is located at a first end portion of the passage; and the switch is located at a second end portion of the passage.
 5. The firearm receiver apparatus of claim 4 wherein: the interior space includes a bolt carrier bore extending between first and second end portions of the receiver body; and the opening is a cartridge ejection port.
 6. The firearm receiver apparatus of claim 1 wherein: the light emitting device is mounted within a passage extending through the light emitting device mounting structure; a centerline axis of the passage extends through the opening within the sidewall of the receiver body; and the beam of light emitted from the light emitting device is projected along the centerline axis of the passage.
 7. The firearm receiver apparatus of claim 6 wherein: the interior space includes a bolt carrier bore extending between first and second end portions of the receiver body; and the opening is a cartridge ejection port.
 8. The firearm receiver apparatus of claim 7 wherein: the light emitting device includes a light emitting diode (LED), an electrical energy source, and a switch for enabling electrical energy to be selective provided from the electrical energy source to the LED; the LED is located at a first end portion of the passage; and the switch is located at a second end portion of the passage.
 9. A firearm receiver apparatus, comprising: a receiver body including a bolt carrier bore that extends between first and second end portions of the receiver body and a cartridge ejection port that extends through a sidewall of the receiver body and that intersects the bolt carrier bore; and a light emitting device attached to the sidewall in a manner for causing at least a portion of a beam of light emitted therefrom to be directed through the cartridge ejection port into the bolt carrier bore.
 10. The firearm receiver apparatus of claim 9 wherein the light emitting device includes a light emitting diode (LED), an electrical energy source, and a switch for enabling electrical energy to be selective provided from the electrical energy source to the LED.
 11. The firearm receiver apparatus of claim 10 wherein: the light emitting device is mounted within a passage in the receiver body; the LED is located at a first end portion of the passage; and the switch is located at a second end portion of the passage.
 12. The firearm receiver apparatus of claim 9 wherein: the light emitting device is mounted within a passage in the receiver body; a centerline axis of the passage extends through the cartridge ejection port; and the beam of light emitted from the light emitting device is projected along the centerline axis of the passage.
 13. The firearm receiver apparatus of claim 12 wherein: the light emitting device includes a light emitting diode (LED), an electrical energy source, and a switch for enabling electrical energy to be selective provided from the electrical energy source to the LED; the LED is located at a first end portion of the passage; and the switch is located at a second end portion of the passage.
 14. The firearm receiver apparatus of claim 12 wherein: the receiver body includes a light emitting device mounting structure extending from the sidewall adjacent to the cartridge ejection port; and the light emitting device is mounted within a passage extending through the light emitting device mounting structure.
 15. The firearm receiver apparatus of claim 14 wherein: the light emitting device includes a light emitting diode (LED), an electrical energy source, and a switch for enabling electrical energy to be selective provided from the electrical energy source to the LED; the LED is located at a first end portion of the passage; and the switch is located at a second end portion of the passage
 16. The firearm receiver apparatus of claim 15 wherein: a centerline axis of the passage extends through the cartridge ejection port; and the beam of light emitted from the light emitting device is projected along the centerline axis of the passage.
 17. A firearm, comprising: a barrel having a chamber at a first end portion thereof for receiving a cartridge of a round of ammunition therein; a receiver body attached at a first end portion thereof to the first end portion of the barrel, wherein a bolt carrier bore of the receiver body extends through the first end portion of the receiver body such that the chamber is accessibly through the bolt carrier bore and wherein a cartridge ejection port extends through the receiver body and intersects the bolt carrier bore; and a light emitting device attached to the receiver body in an orientation for causing at least a portion of a beam of light emitted therefrom to be directed through the cartridge ejection port into a space jointly defined by the chamber and the bolt carrier bore.
 18. The firearm of claim 17 wherein: the receiver body includes a light emitting device mounting structure extending from a sidewall thereof; the cartridge ejection port extends through the sidewall; the light emitting device is mounted within a passage extending through the light emitting device mounting structure; a centerline axis of the passage extends through the cartridge ejection port; and the beam of light emitted from the light emitting device is projected along the centerline axis of the passage.
 19. The firearm of claim 17 wherein: the light emitting device includes a light emitting diode (LED), an electrical energy source, and a switch for enabling electrical energy to be selective provided from the electrical energy source to the LED; the LED is located at a first end portion of the passage; and the switch is located at a second end portion of the passage.
 20. The firearm of claim 19 wherein: the receiver body includes a light emitting device mounting structure extending from a sidewall thereof; the cartridge ejection port extends through the sidewall; the light emitting device is mounted within a passage extending through the light emitting device mounting structure; a centerline axis of the passage extends through the cartridge ejection port; and the beam of light emitted from the light emitting device is projected along the centerline axis of the passage. 